Kombucha Wonder Drink gets our vote for the most
wondrous discovery of the year—although it’s been a West Coast cult favorite since 2001 (and the Chinese have been drinking kombucha since 221 B.C.E.). Shown above, Himalayan Blend with a twist of orange.

WHAT IT IS: Brewed, sweetened and fermented tea, drunk cold.

WHY IT’S DIFFERENT: Kombucha Wonder Drink has created a line of flavors infusing different teas—green, oolong and rooibos—with different fruit flavors, turning the traditional sweet-and-tart drink into a carnival of complex, adult tastes.

WHY WE LOVE IT: The matching of teas to fruits is inspired; the layers of flavors burst onto the palate in elaborate and unexpected ways. Kombucha Wonder Drink is not tea in any recognizable form, it’s not cider, it’s not a soft drink and it’s much more than plain kombucha. It’s an experience unto itself.

Kombucha Wonder Drink Organic Flavors

Kombucha Wonder Drink is brewed from organic tea, organic cane sugar and organic or natural fruit flavorings. One 8.5-ounce bottle has just 60 calories and 8 grams of sugar (Asian Pear Ginger has 65 calories). The green and oolong teas are high in antioxidants, like all tea (there’s also a caffeine-free rooibos, which is an herbal tea and thus has no antioxidant qualities). The line is USDA-certified organic.

The best way to drink kombucha is very cold. You can quaff Kombucha Wonder Drink right from the attractive bottle; or from a goblet, wine glass or Champagne flute—most of the flavors look like sparkling wine or punch. Some regulars also enjoy making cocktails with them. We tried a few; although they were quite tasty, we find the “straight” Kombucha Wonder Drink flavors to be festive enough without the alcohol. Some fans report using it as a salad dressing—the Orient Blend would work well in this capacity, especially on a sweeter salad, e.g. one with fruit or coconut accents.

Asian Pear Ginger: This flavor is redolent of fresh, ripe pear. Wonderful by itself, it turns into a tropical nectar with the addition of some pineapple juice. It’s made from oolong tea and kombucha, with pear essence and raw ginger juice.
FOR COCKTAILS: Mix Bacardi Orange and triple sec, or with brandy.

Jasmine Niagara Grape: An aromatic blend of green jasmine tea, kombucha and Niagara white grape juice. Jasmine tea and the white grape juice are an inspired match. The floral quality of the jasmine is on the same plane as the grape: they’re fraternal twins. The most elegant and charming of the flavors.
FOR COCKTAILS: Mix vodka, gin or plum wine.

Himalayan Blend: This flavor tastes much like ginger beer with a tad of refreshing vinegar flavor from the fermentation. It’s made from green tea and kombucha plus a hint of lemon flavor. Enjoy it with an optional squeeze of fresh lemon, lime or orange.
FOR COCKTAILS: Mix vodka and triple sec; or 1/2 shot triple sec, 1 shot citron, 1/2 lime.

Orient Blend: This flavor is most like a strong apple cider, with plummy notes—as much French as Oriental in temperament. It’s pure fermented oolong and, with no added fruit essence, the least sweet of the group.
FOR COCKTAILS: Mix vodka or whiskey.

Rooibos Red Peach: This is the caffeine-free option and the most subtle version. Here, among all of the flavors, the tea is the top note: we would wish for more peach flavor, but it’s still a delightful beverage. Made from rooibos (red tea), kombucha and essence of red peach.
FOR COCKTAILS: Mix vodka and peach schnapps.QUESTION: Why is peach the perfect fruit to infuse into kombucha? Because kombucha, whichoriginated in China, is the “elixir of life,” and the peach tree is the Chinese “tree of life.” Read more about it on page 3 of this article.

Kombucha In Cans

Since our original review, the company has introduced three new flavors in attractive, 12-ounce cans. All are made with organic green tea.

OriginalKombucha: Flavored with spearmint, juniper berries and lemon myrtle, this is the kombucha version of ginger ale or tonic water.

Cherry Cassis Kombucha: Made with all-natural, high-antioxidant cherry and black currant juices, it’s a shame this festive, ruby-red color is hidden in a can!

Peach Mango Kombucha: This popular flavor combination is appealing any time of the day.
Enjoy the bubbly taste of wellness brought by the Peach Mango! This is a sunny drink that is appreciated by people of all ages.

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